FIFTEEN pubs in 300 yards are turning Bury's culture quarter into a hair-raising experience.

Under-age drinking and violent attacks are rife in the town centre, according to Tory Councillor Roy Walker.

He wanted to know if the number of pubs in the area could be limited, now the former Lloyds Bank in Market Place has permission to become another pub.

Coun Walker said there were girls aged 14 or 15 being sick and disorderly while police sat in cars watching.

"It can be hair-raising at night," he said. "We've got only ten policemen in the whole of the borough. They cannot cope with burglaries, never mind this.

"There are fights, attacks on taxi drivers. Does this add to the character of the area? Bury doesn't seem to be bothered. Is this really part of a culture quarter?"

Coun Warren Flood, planning committee chairman, told the full council meeting that there were no specific limits on the number of pubs considered acceptable in the town centre.

The police could object to the granting of planning permission or a drinks licence, but they had not objected to two previous applications for the Lloyds site.

Coun Flood said people should tell the police and licensing section where youngsters were drinking and they would put a stop to it.

He admitted being an infrequent visitor to the quarter as he preferred real ale to keg beer. "Just because you don't like something doesn't mean other people don't," he said.